A Savage Calculus
John Fitz Rogers
About this work:
Commissioned by The Ambassador Duo (performed at the 2003 World Saxophone Congress). I began work on "A Savage Calculus" in August 2001, but after the horrible and tragic events of September 11th, I found I could not continue on its composition. When I did resume working several months later, I decided that while I couldn’t write a piece that addressed the enormity of September 11th, I also couldn’t ignore my feelings about the event either. If the resulting music is "about" anything, it is about the idea of surprise. The work is marked by strong contrasts, in its silences punctuated by loud outbursts, as well as the frequent juxtapositions of different kinds of music, from "irrationally exuberant" boogie-woogie licks in the piano and virtuosic, over-the-top bluesy lines in the saxophone, to mournful, ghostly melodies that slowly descend to nothing. These combinations are sometimes garish, even cartoon-like, and at other times tense and very dark.
"A Savage Calculus" was first performed at the North American Saxophone Alliance’s annual convention in March 2002 by Clifford Leaman, alto saxophone, and Derek Parsons, piano, members of The Ambassador Duo. The work is dedicated to them.
Year composed: 2003
Duration: 00:09:00
Ensemble type: Chamber or Jazz Ensemble, Without Voice:Keyboard plus One Instrument
Instrumentation: 1 Alto Saxophone, 1 Piano